1990. Harriet is a journalist. Her job takes her to dangerous places, where she asks questions and tries to make a difference. But when she is sent to Romania, to the state orphanages the world is only just learning about, she is forced to rethink her most important rule.
2018. Ellie is a gardener. Her garden is her sanctuary, her pride and joy. But, though she spends long days outdoors, she hasn’t set foot beyond her gate for far too long. Now someone enters her life who could finally be the reason she needs to overcome her fears.
From post-revolution Romania to the idyllic English countryside, The World at My Feet is the story of two women, two worlds, and a journey of self-discovery that spans a lifetime.
I am not quite sure what I was expecting when I sat down to
read Catherine Isaac’s new release The World at my Feet but this book blew me
away. I have taken so much time deliberating over this review working out how
to give it the justice it deserves without giving away those dreaded spoilers!
Ellie is a successful Instagram influencer with followers
following her daily tips on gardening and soaking up those picture-perfect images
of her garden. From the outside in Ellie looks like she has a wonderful fulfilled
life but what people are unaware of is that Ellie hasn’t stepped outside her
garden gate in years.
The novel begins like so many books I have read and enjoyed
with its easy uplifting storyline but then something completely unexpected is dropped
on us and the story then takes on a whole new depth and direction and I was
completely compelled from that moment on, unable to put my kindle down. I
became so invested in Ellie’s life, she had such a beautiful nature and there
was an air of vulnerability to her too which made me warm to her even more. By
the end of the novel I couldn’t bare to let Ellie go.
The author has clearly undertaken extensive research into
the subject matters of this book and the way she has poured everything into
this storyline highlighting situations I was never even aware of, I found it
devastating and hard hitting. The pure honesty and raw struggles of another
subject that is a major part of this book also opened my eyes and my heart
really went out to Ellie.
This is by far my favourite book by this author and I would
urge you all to be careful when thinking of reading reviews for this book because
I think it was because I was so oblivious to what lay ahead when the true heart
of this storyline began and I believe that was why this had such a big impact
on my enjoyment of this novel. It was a novel that broke my heart into millions
of pieces and piece by piece Ellie’s strength and determination and the support
and love of those around her gradually put those pieces back together again.
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